Kirill Kabanov had a big night for the Shawinigan Cataractes, contributing a goal and an assist in his teams 6-1 routing of the Edmonton Oil Kings.

The Isles prospect contributed his third assist of the tournament on Shawinigan’s first goal of the night feeding Brandon Gormley, who put It into the net. Kabanov scored the Cataractes’ fourth goal of the night 2:56 into the second period. He was able to score on a fluke shot that missed the net, hitting the glass behind it, a and bounced off Oil King goaltender Laurent Brossoit and went into the net.

"It's sometimes disappointing, but a goal is a goal," Kabanov told Buzzing the Net about the goal. Adding later that he had never scored like that, but thought “it was kind of funny.”

The goal was Kabanov’s first of the tournament and now has 4 points in the four games Shawinigan has played in the tournament.

The Cataractes play Saint John tomorrow night at 7pm.

]]>ChristianArn312@aol.com (Christian A. )MayFri, 25 May 2012 05:12:58 +0000Help Get John Tavares on the Cover of NHL 13http://www.islandershockeyblog.com/2012-articles/may/help-get-john-tavares-on-the-cover-of-nhl-13.html
http://www.islandershockeyblog.com/2012-articles/may/help-get-john-tavares-on-the-cover-of-nhl-13.html

John Tavares (and Team Canada) may be eliminated from the IIHF World Championships; he is still very much alive in the EA Sports NHL 13 Cover Vote.

Voting begins today, as the Islander all-star goes head to head with Detroit Red wings forward Pavel Datsyuk. Tavares knocked out Jordan Eberle in the first round of the cover vote.

"I'm flattered that I am moving onto the next round of the EA Sports NHL13 Cover Vote,” Tavares told the Islanders’ team website. “I've always said that we have amazing fans on Long Island that support this team. I appreciate the hours of voting they've put in for me and look forward to seeing what they can do as I'm up next against one of the NHL's great players, Pavel Datsyuk. Don't count Islander fans out, they'll always end up surprising you.”

Tavares has received endorsements from several other NHL players like P.K. Subban, Patrick Sharp, Steven Stamkos, and his fellow Islander teammates.

Voting goes from today until Wednesday, May 23. Click here to vote for John Tavares and get him to the semi-finals.

]]>ChristianArn312@aol.com (Christian A. )MayFri, 18 May 2012 16:33:49 +0000Isles Respond to Draft Party Criticism http://www.islandershockeyblog.com/2012-articles/may/isles-respond-to-draft-part-criticism.html
http://www.islandershockeyblog.com/2012-articles/may/isles-respond-to-draft-part-criticism.htmlOn Tuesday the Islanders announced the details for their annual draft party at the Nassau Coliseum, but with the Rangers and Devils in the midst of an Eastern Conference Finals series some Islander fans weren’t too happy to be thinking about the draft as their division rivals battled for a chance to compete for the cup.

The Team did respond and I thought it was worth posting:

We understand our fans’ frustration and are disappointed in the team’s performance on the ice. The New York Islanders thrive on the support of the fans, which is why we’ll continue to hold events like the Draft Party. As an organization, we will not stop having these events because they give Islanders fans the opportunity to show your support, share your passion with friends and family and enjoy a fun experience with your favorite team.

Yesterday the Islanders announced the official details for this years draft party, Here they are via the Isles press release:

The New York Islanders announced today that passes for the 2012 Draft Party are now available to the general public by clicking the ticketmaster link above or by visiting the Nassau Coliseum Box. The Draft Party is scheduled for Friday, June 22 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Passes to this fan fest are free, but each individual can only reserve up to eight. Doors for the Draft Party open at 5:30 p.m. and the live stream of the NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh begins at 7 p.m.

Fans will not only get to watch the Draft live and see exclusive interviews with the Islanders fourth overall selection, but they will also have the chance to meet some of their favorite players at the Draft Party. John Tavares will hand out his autographed jersey to preferred season ticket holders, while Matt Moulson, Matt Martin, Nino Niederreiter, Kevin Poulin, Ryan Strome, Casey Cizikas and Calvin de Haan will also be in attendance. Fans will also have the opportunity to interact with select Islanders alumni.

The Draft Party will once again play host to the Islanders annual year-end blowout merchandise sale, located in the lower lobby. The Islanders Team Store, located next to the Nassau Coliseum Box Office, will feature additional sales and specials.

Interactive activities on the Nassau Coliseum floor will include exclusive locker room tours, street hockey contests, I.C.E. Tour inflatable games and video game stations. The Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center will once again provide an interactive exhibit at the event, while the popular Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit will also return to the Draft Party, featuring historic jerseys, sticks and skates used by NHL legends.

The Coliseum scoreboard, which normally hangs well above center ice, will be lowered for up-close, oversized interviews of the Islanders players and alumni in attendance. The big screen will also feature exclusive, live coverage from IslandersTV at the Draft, with interviews with members of the hockey operations staff and behind-the-scenes footage.

Prior to and during the 2012 Draft Party, The American Red Cross will host a blood drive. Fans can donate blood in the Coliseum’s exhibition hall anytime between noon and 8 p.m. on draft day.

]]>ChristianArn312@aol.com (Christian A. )MayWed, 16 May 2012 18:38:58 +0000What Do You Want to See on Islanders Hockey Blog?http://www.islandershockeyblog.com/2012-articles/may/what-do-you-want-to-see-on-islanders-hockey-blog.html
http://www.islandershockeyblog.com/2012-articles/may/what-do-you-want-to-see-on-islanders-hockey-blog.htmlIslanders Hockey Blog is always looking to grow and improve its’ overall content, so we can bring you the best coverage as possible.

Now we’re asking for your help in improving IHB by allowing you, the reader, to vote on what you would like to see more of on the site. Below you can vote in the poll from the pre-selected choices or you can add you own ideas in the comments section.

The rumor that PA Parenteau is looking to sign a deal in Montreal is untrue, according to his agent Allan Walsh.

The rumor appeared on twitter late Sunday evening saying that Parenteau wanted to play in the Canadian city and was looking for a 4 year, $3 million deal. Walsh refuted the rumor on twitter saying, “the only thing PA Parenteau is focused on at this time is returning to the NYI.”

He later told Islanders Hockey Blog via email: “PA Parenteau's sole focus is returning to the NYI. The Islanders gave him his opportunity to play regularly in the NHL. He enjoys a special relationship with the head coach and his teammates. It's PA's sincere hope that he can remain an Islander.”

Parenteau will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1, if the Islanders do not resign him.

Chesnokov tweeted out at 7:36 that the Islander prospect had signed a contract extension with his KHL team, AK Bars. Petrov is in the final year of his KHL contract and was expected to come to North America and join the Isles for training camp in September.

NY Times hockey writer and former Islanders Point Blank blogger, Chris Botta added more to the story.

“Just got off the phone with the agent for #Isles prospect Kirill Petrov,” he posted on Sulia. “The #Isles very much want Petrov to come to North America this season, but he is leaning towards signing for another one or two years in the KHL. He has strong offers for both in KHL. His mother remains very ill and he wants to be able to stay close to her. Petrov is also a bit scared off by the uncertainty of negotiations this summer for a new CBA for the NHL. As of now, looks like he's staying in KHL. Decision soon.”

Things could change, but for now it seems that he will be staying in Russia.

On one hand you can understand the precarious situation Petrov is with his mother since she is ill. Anyone can understand the want, and need, to be around and help take care of her. Also his fear of another lockout is something that any hockey fan can understand.

But it still is a loss for the Islanders who, as Botta said, really wanted to get the 22 year old to North America.